• Premier League

Mourinho leads Van Gaal praise

ESPN staff
May 19, 2014
Jose Mourinho learnt his trade at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal © Getty Images
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has led the praise for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho worked under the Dutchman, who was appointed as David Moyes' successor on Monday, at Barcelona from 1997 to 2000.

"He is a great football manager and I am happy he joins me in the Premier League," Mourinho said. "More important than that, he is a great man and I wish him good."

Wayne Rooney was one of a number of players who took to Twitter to welcome the new manager.

Rio Ferdinand, who last week revealed he will leave United at the end of the season, posted:

Giggs, who announced his retirement from football and will take up a position as Van Gaal's No.2, was also lauded across social networking sites.

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